The Pirate Party of Tunisia has set the decriminalization of cannabis as a priority in their next elections. Earlier the main political parties have committed to address this. However, the State has been passive regarding the revision of Law 52 on consumption of illegal substances. This law has been used to incarcerate more than 1,500 youths since the last elections in 2014.

The Pirate Party of Tunisia has noted several negative developments regarding changing this law:

• The government’s decision to not submit the draft of the new ‘bill on illegal substances’ to the Assembly of People’s Representatives (APR). A draft that was developed for several months by the Ministry of Justice.
• The dismissal of the Minister of Justice, Salah Ben Aissa, who is personally committed to revise the law.
• The approval by the APR of several less urgent laws, such as severance pay for retiring of MPs and the benefits accorded to the presidents of the Republic.
• The policies of the Government and of the Assembly, who continue to lend a deaf ear to awareness campaigns by civil society about revising Law 52.

The law on consumption of illegal substances imposes a minimum of one year jail sentence and compulsory urine drug screening on consumers of cannabis. This law disrupts the power balance between the citizen and the police and is used to harass dissidents. The Pirate Party of Tunisia has decided to participate in the next elections by highlighting the hemp symbol on its lists, which will attract the voters of those who support this cause.

About Josef Ohlsson Collentine

I’m a dual citizen (American/Swede) and try to integrate my reflections from a more global perspective if possible. I’m the organizational leader for Pirate Times and work actively to strengthen the pirate movement through this work as well as being the international contact for Piratpartiet (PPSE). Elected board member of PPSE for 2015-2018.
If you would like to ask me something I speak English, Swedish and Spanish. Find me on the links below

 

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The Pirate Party of Tunisia has set the decriminalization of cannabis as a priority in their next elections. Earlier the main political parties have committed to address this. However, the State has been…